A Deep Dive into Global Cricket Leagues, Cricket has evolved significantly over the years—from traditional Test matches to the electrifying T20 format. One of the most game-changing developments in modern cricket has been the rise of franchise-based T20 leagues. These tournaments have revolutionized the sport, bringing together the best international and domestic talent under one roof, captivating fans worldwide, and generating billions in revenue.
So the big question remains: Which is the best franchise league in cricket?
In this blog, we’ll explore and compare the top franchise leagues across the world, considering factors like viewership, player participation, financial value, competitiveness, and global impact. Let’s discover which league truly stands out as the king of T20 franchise cricket.
1. What is a Franchise Cricket League?
A franchise cricket league is a professional T20 tournament where teams are owned by private franchises, often involving celebrities, business moguls, or sports investors. Players are selected through auctions or drafts, and each franchise builds a squad combining local and international stars.
The popularity of franchise leagues is due to their:
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Fast-paced entertainment
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International player participation
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Huge fan following
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Broadcast and sponsorship revenue
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Glamour and celebrity involvement
2. Top Franchise Leagues in World Cricket (2025)
Here’s a list of the most influential franchise leagues:
| League | Country | Inception Year | Number of Teams | Key Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Premier League (IPL) | India | 2008 | 10 | Mar–May |
| Big Bash League (BBL) | Australia | 2011 | 8 | Dec–Jan |
| Pakistan Super League (PSL) | Pakistan | 2016 | 6 | Feb–Mar |
| SA20 | South Africa | 2023 | 6 | Jan–Feb |
| Caribbean Premier League (CPL) | West Indies | 2013 | 6 | Aug–Sept |
| ILT20 | UAE | 2023 | 6 | Jan–Feb |
| The Hundred | England | 2021 | 8 (mixed-gender) | July–Aug |
| Major League Cricket (MLC) | USA | 2023 | 6 | July |
3. Key Factors to Decide the Best League
Before declaring the best, let’s compare these leagues on several crucial factors:
A. Popularity and Global Viewership
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IPL: Reaches over 400 million viewers annually. The most-watched cricket league globally.
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BBL: Strong in Australia but has seen declining global viewership recently.
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PSL: Popular in Pakistan and gaining overseas traction.
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SA20, ILT20, CPL: Moderate viewership, but increasing.
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MLC: New but promising, especially with cricket’s growth in the USA.
Winner: IPL
B. Star Power and Player Participation
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IPL: Attracts the biggest names from across the world—Virat Kohli, Jos Buttler, David Warner, Rashid Khan, etc.
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BBL: Many international stars, but tight schedules sometimes limit participation.
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PSL: Strong pool of Pakistani stars, some international participation.
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SA20 & ILT20: Heavily funded with several top international players.
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MLC: Features global stars like Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult, and Aaron Finch.
Winner: IPL, followed by SA20 and ILT20
C. Competitiveness and Match Quality
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IPL: Highly competitive; most teams are well-matched, leading to thrilling contests.
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PSL: Known for strong bowling attacks and close matches.
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BBL: Balanced, but some teams dominate.
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SA20 & ILT20: Still maturing but delivering quality cricket.
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CPL: Fun and unpredictable.
Winner: IPL, but PSL is close in competitiveness.
D. Financial Strength and Prize Money
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IPL: The richest cricket league in the world. Franchise valuations exceed $1 billion.
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ILT20 & SA20: Strong financial backing from major investors like Reliance and Cricket South Africa.
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BBL & PSL: Sustainable but smaller financial pool.
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MLC: Backed by big investors like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Bollywood celebs.
Winner: IPL, followed by ILT20 and SA20
E. Fan Engagement and Stadium Attendance
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IPL: Electrifying stadium atmosphere, packed crowds, passionate fans.
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BBL: Family-friendly, strong local fanbase.
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PSL: Passionate crowds in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi.
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CPL: Caribbean carnival feel.
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MLC: Small crowds, but great energy.
Winner: IPL, with PSL and BBL close behind.
4. Indian Premier League (IPL): The Undisputed Champion\
Launched in 2008 by the BCCI, the IPL has changed cricket forever. From billion-dollar broadcast deals to celebrity team owners (Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta), the IPL offers a unique mix of glamour and game.
Why IPL Is the Best:
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Massive global fanbase in India, UK, Australia, USA, and more.
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Top-notch production and digital engagement (Disney+ Hotstar, JioCinema).
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Strong domestic pipeline—players like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya came from the IPL.
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Economic impact—estimated $8 billion+ market size.
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Brands love IPL—record-breaking sponsorship deals every season.
The IPL is more than a cricket tournament; it’s a phenomenon.
5. Rising Stars: SA20, ILT20 & MLC
Though IPL reigns supreme, new leagues are rising fast:
SA20 (South Africa)
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Partnered with IPL team owners.
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Offers South African cricket a revival.
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Stars like Jos Buttler, Quinton de Kock, and Anrich Nortje featured.
ILT20 (UAE)
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Wealthy league with huge contracts.
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Played in world-class stadiums like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Major League Cricket (USA)
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Growing fast in a non-traditional market.
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Taps into the Indian and South Asian diaspora.
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May play a major role in cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 LA Olympics.
6. Fan Favorite: PSL and BBL
Though not as wealthy as the IPL, both PSL and BBL hold strong fan support.
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
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High-quality bowling attacks.
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Homegrown heroes like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi.
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Improving infrastructure and fan support.
Big Bash League (BBL)
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Pioneer in family-oriented cricket entertainment.
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Known for innovations like the “bat flip” and “Power Surge”.
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Key to Australia’s T20 talent development.
7. The Hundred – Innovation or Disruption?
The Hundred has introduced a new 100-ball format. While it’s unique, its reception has been mixed.
Pros:
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Gender parity: Men’s and women’s matches are played together.
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New audience: Appeals to younger fans.
Cons:
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Traditional fans find it confusing.
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Player availability overlaps with other leagues.
Still, it’s one to watch.
8. Franchise Cricket’s Impact on International Cricket
While franchise leagues have boosted the game’s popularity, they’ve also raised concerns:
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Player burnout due to tight schedules.
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Decline of bilateral series as leagues dominate the calendar.
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Players retiring early from national duties to play in leagues (e.g., Trent Boult).
Boards like the BCCI are now strategizing to balance the ecosystem.
9. Future of Franchise Cricket (2025 and Beyond)
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Women’s Leagues are gaining momentum (WPL in India).
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Franchise expansion into new markets (USA, Europe).
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AI and data analytics are shaping team strategies.
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Metaverse and VR experiences may redefine fan engagement.
Check our Toss and Match Prediction for all upcoming matches predictions.
Final Verdict: Which is the Best Franchise League in Cricket?
Answer: The Indian Premier League (IPL)
There’s no debate—the IPL is the best franchise league in cricket today. It leads in every metric: viewership, financial power, talent, production quality, fan engagement, and global impact. While other leagues are growing rapidly, especially in South Africa, UAE, and the USA, the IPL remains the gold standard.
However, competition is good for the game. Fans now enjoy top-level cricket year-round, and players have more opportunities than ever before.